Most common shoulder complaint: do you have subacromial pain syndrome?

Subacromial pain syndrome is a non-traumatic one sided condition of the shoulder. This common condition is two thirds of all shoulder complaints at Acland Street Physiotherapy. This condition is more prevalent as you age. It usually causes pain localised around the acromion (bony process of the shoulder) when lifting the arm. Usually one or structures are injured within the subacromial space. 

Common conditions that cause subacromial pain syndrome include:

• Subacromial bursitis
• Calcific tendinopathy
• Rotator cuff tendinitis or tendipathy
• Rotator cuff tears
• Biceps tendinopathy 
• Rotator cuff tendon degeneration

The above conditions often respond very well to physiotherapy treatment which includes manual therapy, dry needling, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, exercise programs involving stretching, strengthening the rotator cuff and stabilising the scapula (shoulder blades).